Alternative Therapy Is The Solution

Alternative therapy is my saving grace as a fibromyalgia patient. Fibromyalgia is often described as chronic widespread body pain, but it doesn’t stop there. Fibromyalgia comes with a wide range of other symptoms. Moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, sensitivity to light, sound and touch, and other disorders that impact the brain. Since regular doctors can’t find what causes it, they don’t know how to treat it. They can only treat the symptoms.

Western medicine doctors have tested me for practically everything. Some tests hurt. A LOT. In the end, they most often tell me, “The tests were negative. It’s ‘just’ the fibromyalgia.” That’s hard to hear from someone who is supposed to take care of you. To me, it sounds like, “Sorry. I give up.” Every time I get that answer, I can’t help but cry. All they can do is give me synthetic medicine. I get all the normal side effects and then need other pills to combat the side effects. It’s a vicious circle.

Fibromyalgia patients have to find a mix of solutions that work best for them personally. For me, alternative therapy is the solution. Kinesiology, acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, physical therapy – these are my saving graces. They help me live with fibromyalgia a little better. It’s about more than the alternative therapy though. It’s about the practitioners too. They have to be dedicated to their craft. They have to stay up to date on new studies in their field. They have to be able to change with the times to treat their patients in the best way possible. Dr. Michael at the Acupuncture and Holistic Health Center in Jacksonville, FL is one of the best practitioners of alternative therapy I’ve ever had.

I’ve seen a few acupuncturists over the years. Some were good. Some didn’t know their cheek from their elbow. With any kind of doctor, you need to find one that understands and can help you. Dr. Michael does that for me. His style of acupuncture is so different compared to what I’ve had before. I always ask a lot of questions and he’s always willing to answer. I understand the mind-body-spirit connection – always have. The Worsley 5 Element acupuncture he practices (and teaches!) really takes that connection to heart.

Whenever Dr. Michael sees me, it’s never just one thing that’s wrong. It’s all tied together. Dr. Michael listens to me and what I’m feeling. He tests my body to see what it tells him about how I feel. He treats both what I know and what my body knows. After my treatment, I always feel better than when I walked in. I go in feeling disconnected to the world and myself. When I walk out and feel like I can continue the fight a little longer.

I know I won’t ever be the person I used to be. I try to stay balanced in my new life, living with my disability. Fibromyalgia may be incredibly difficult to live with, but Dr. Michael gives me hope. If you haven’t tried acupuncture or alternative therapy in general, it’s not just for serious conditions. It’s for all people who want to get through life in the healthiest way possible. Try alternative therapy. It could be your solution too.

Best,
Eve R.